Warn Winch Question

[swbpatrol]

If i was to place a big isolator on the positive battery lead of the winch to the battery is there possibilty of voltage lose??? The main reason for this is for safety.

Chris

[Red_MAv]

If you are trying to prevent the winch being operated when you dont want it to be, it would be easier to put in an isolating switch to the control unit and have the switch in the dash inside the car. Mine is set up like that and if the switch inside the car isnt turned on, then using the controller on the winch will not work.

[ludacris]

You will get a voltage loss and may fry your motor.

LudaCris

[krimnl]

it is also a 'weak link' somthing else to go wrong when your in the shit.

[coxy321]

I know a few guys who have done this, but yes there is voltage loss, and it is something else that can go wrong. The main reason people do it is so they don't get their car winched in half by sm@rtarses. I suppose if you got a heavy duty one (that can carry more than the winches max. current), it'd be half okay.

Coxy

[bru21]

wing nut on the power cable and it just as quick. just throw another nut on top when competing

[swbpatrol]

problem being on one of our work cars the other day the winch was spooling in and it decided to take of and not stop even when operating hand lever. Luckaly the bonnet was up and the terminal was pulled of not before the cable jammed all the rollers up. Thinking it would not be pleasent that happening and accidently pulling another car, tree or even person into your winch

[AndrewT]

There shouldnt be any voltage drop if you put an isolator in the main power cable to your winch solinoid box, and theres no way this would fry your motor???. Voltage drop is caused by cables that are too small run over too long a distance and crappy connections. Just make sure you use a good quality isolator and good crimped connections. If you only have an iso in the control circuit to the solinoid coil you could still get a solinoid welding itself closed and you wont be able to stop the motor running.

[chimpboy]

I really can't think of any reason why a suitably rated isolator would cause any of the problems being suggested.

A crap isolator could, but that would be because it's crap, not because it's an isolator!

Jason

[coxy321]

To effectively "isolate" power from the winch, the isolator HAS to be put inline of the main power cable, running from the "+" battery post, to the control box. As far as voltage drop goes, a poor quality, an "under-rated" isolator, or an isolator with poor contacts (ie. water, dirt, mud) will produce a level of voltage drop, and hence could damage the motor (under extreme working conditions), or just not provide a good power source. - I think thats where the "motor damage" thing might have come from.

A good example of common voltage drops - cars that have corrosion on the battery posts. It does affect battery/alternator/electrical systems more than you think.
Provided you get a good, heavy duty isolater, well protected from the elements - it'll be ok.

Coxy